Honestly, if you're standing on a street corner in Manhattan today, you're probably not thinking about "meteorological trends" or "isobaric pressure." You're thinking about that weird, slushy mix hitting your face. It's January 17, 2026, and New York is doing that thing where it can't decide if it wants to be a winter wonderland or just a damp, gray mess.
Right now, the temperature in New York is sitting at exactly 34°F.
But here’s the kicker: it feels like 30°F. That four-degree gap is basically the difference between "I can handle this" and "Why do I live here?" A southwest wind is kicking at about 4 mph, which isn't much, but when you're dealing with a precipitation chance of 83%, that humidity (sitting at 78%) makes the air feel heavy and biting. We’re currently seeing light rain, but don't get comfortable.
The Saturday Slush: What is the weather for New York today?
If you looked out the window this morning and saw white stuff, you weren't hallucinating. We’ve got a "First Alert Weather Day" in full swing. While the city itself is mostly seeing light rain right now, the forecast for the rest of Saturday, January 17, calls for light snow during the daytime.
The high is expected to hit 38°F, which is just warm enough to turn everything into that iconic NYC gray sludge. The low tonight will dip to 33°F.
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The Department of Sanitation (DSNY) has been salting since midnight. They’ve got over 700 salt spreaders out there because even though we aren't expecting a "Snowpocalypse," the transition from rain to snow is a recipe for black ice. Basically, the city is bracing for about a trace to 1 inch of snow. If you're heading north toward Orange or Putnam counties, though, they’re looking at a more serious 2-4 inches.
Why Sunday might be the real problem
Most people focus on the immediate forecast, but the "grazing" storm coming tomorrow is the one to watch. Meteorologists are tracking a coastal system for Sunday, January 18. It’s supposed to stay south and east, but if that track shifts even twenty miles, Long Island and Queens could get hit much harder than the "trace to 1 inch" currently predicted.
January 2026: The Big Picture
We're in a weird cycle. 2025 actually finished slightly below average in terms of temperature, breaking a long streak of record warmth. This January has been "cool and breezy," as the experts say.
The humidity today is pretty high at 78%, which is typical for a New York winter. We usually hover around 83% humidity this time of year. It’s that "wet cold" that gets into your bones. It’s not like a dry Montana winter; it’s a damp, coastal chill that defies even the most expensive puffer jackets.
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Breaking down the numbers
- UV Index: It's 0. You won't see the sun.
- Wind Direction: Southwest.
- Precipitation Type: Shifting from light rain to light snow.
- Visibility: Kinda miserable.
How to actually survive a day like today
Forget the fashion. If you’re out, you need waterproof boots. Not "water-resistant." Waterproof. The puddles at the corner of every crosswalk—famously known as "slush lagoons"—are deeper than they look.
Since the chance of precipitation is 97% for the daytime hours, an umbrella is a gamble. With the wind, it might just flip inside out. A hooded, waterproof shell over a heavy wool sweater is the local pro move.
Also, keep an eye on the Monday holiday. It’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and DSNY has already announced there won't be trash collection. If the snow picks up tonight, expect some delays in the subways. They don't handle "light-to-moderate snow" as well as they claim to.
Moving forward with your weekend
The best way to handle this New York weather is to stay ahead of the freeze. Tonight, that 33°F low means anything that melted during the 38°F high is going to turn into a skating rink.
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If you're driving, take it slow on the bridges. The Verrazzano and the George Washington Bridge always freeze faster than the surface streets. If you're walking, watch for the metal basement doors on the sidewalks—they become death traps when wet.
Check the local transit apps before you head out for dinner tonight, as the "light snow" expected this afternoon could cause some switch issues on the outdoor lines like the N, Q, or the 7 train.
Stay dry, keep the salt off your shoes, and maybe just order in.